Two pain relief methods compared after open colon cancer surgery
Compares a single spinal morphine injection with epidural pain relief in colon cancer surgery patients.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Intrathecal Morphine Versus Epidural Analgesia for Open Colon Surgery
Key facts
- Where
- Split, CroatiaSee the site
- Phase
- Phase 4
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 80 years old?
Source: NCT06935708, who can take part
Where in Croatia
- University hospital of SplitSplit, CroatiaTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Meri Mirceta
- Trial code
- NCT06935708
- Record updated
- 20 April 2025
- Original description
Effective pain management after abdominal surgery is essential for recovery. This study compares two pain relief methods-intrathecal morphine (a single spinal injection) and continuous epidural analgesia-for patients undergoing open colorectal cancer surgery.Read full original descriptionShow less
Intrathecal Morphine Versus Thoracic Epidural Analgesia for Open Colorectal Cancer Surgery: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Effective pain management after abdominal surgery is essential for recovery. This study compares two pain relief methods-intrathecal morphine (a single spinal injection) and continuous epidural analgesia-for patients undergoing open colorectal cancer surgery.
The investigators expect intrathecal morphine to provide equal pain relief at rest 24 hours after surgery, while epidural analgesia may be more effective during movement. By 48 to 72 hours, both methods should offer similar pain control. The epidural group may require fewer additional pain medications but could experience more side effects, including a higher risk of low blood pressure and technical difficulties. Additionally, these patients may have a slightly longer hospital stay. In contrast, the intrathecal morphine group may have fewer overall side effects. Despite these differences, patient satisfaction, sleep quality, and recovery are expected to be similar in both groups.
By evaluating these methods, this study aims to determine the most effective and safe approach to post-surgical pain management, improving comfort and recovery outcomes for patients.
Inclusion: Male or female patients with colorectal carcinoma undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery aged 18-80 years, ASA classification I-III, Body Mass Index (BMI) 15-35 kg/m2.
Exclusion: pre-existing skin infection at the neuraxial anesthesia puncture site,; patients with dementia or other medical condition that includes communication difficulties,; history of opioid abuse,; allergies to any of the drugs used in the study; Additionally, patients converted from laparoscopy to laparotomy due to technical surgical issues, patients with postoperative surgical complications (need for revision) or if epidural catheter placement/spinal anesthesia is unsuccessful even after an attempt by a senior anesthesiologist will also be excluded; abnormal coagulation function, defined as prothrombin time or activated partial prothrombin time above standard laboratory values or an international normalised ratio (INR) ≥1.4; or receiving ongoing therapeutic anticoagulation,; thrombocytopenia, defined as a platelet count <80×10 9 L-1,; pre-existing neurologic deficit, including peripheral neuropathy,; patients with bradycardia (pulse <50/min) or with conduction block (2nd or 3rd degree).